Monday, March 14, 2016

Bhoots On The Ground

As a veteran (23 years) massage therapist I've become very picky about who I receive my massages from. I like strong, confident hands that stem from a happy, positive human being. I've learned from experience that if a massage therapist is having an off day (or week or month) it's better to postpone the massage because being somewhat of an empath, it's very likely I'll absorb that sadness and/or negativity. In fairness, I apply the same standard to myself. I don't want to dump the doldrums on an unsuspecting client because that's just bad karma. If I feel like crap, I reschedule or hand off the work to one of my peers.

It wasn't that long ago when people used to cast their demons, known as bhoots, into a rock and leave it in the road for some unsuspecting sucker to pick up. I don't believe in that kind of magical thinking but on the flip side, I have seen with my own eyes and felt with my own hands the wonder of shared positivity and lightheartedness through massage therapy. Witnessing this transformation is one of the greatest rewards of what I do.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we applied the bhoot mythology in reverse? I live near the sea where it's common to see adults and children alike filling their pockets with ocean-carved stones and pretty shells. How lovely to think of the sea blessing all that flotsam, those stones and shells and polished glass before sending it ashore? And what if we could each of us scatter goodwill and blessings like little treasures for unsuspecting strangers to find?

As a writer my hope is always that a story or a phrase will bring a smile to your face or stir up emotions that engage the heart as well as the mind. That by telling my stories you will remember yours. And that you too will share your beautiful treasures with the world.

So tell me, if you could cast a secret gift into a stone to leave for a stranger, what would it be?

Oh oh oh..so contagious! My summer days are filled with the sounds of children screaming and laughing that wafts up from the beach to my ear. I love the idea of a stone that laughs like a baby, gurgling joy!

I'd cast the feeling of a slow, very early morning stroll, maybe after a week of rains, balancing a fresh and hot cuppa enjoying the surprises of the changing sky, observing new things that have sprouted from the ground, smiling at the companionship of a little dog by your side, and smelling the rich, damp earth.

I would cast the feel of sunshine warming your skin and water cascading over it like silk, the smell of the earth, water and flowers and the soft fur and loving kiss of a loyal and loving canine friend.